Join the Patient and Family Advisory Council
KCH is committed to our communities' patients, families, and caregivers.
If you would like more information, you can contact the Patient Advocate at patientadvocate@kch.org.
The KCH Patient and Family Advisory Council creates a communication bridge between our leadership and the community to ensure our facility offers the highest-quality patient-focused care experience.
You may be a good candidate if you have previous family or caregiver experience, are comfortable in a group discussion setting, and are willing to share ideas and opinions and listen to others' opinions and ideas.
What is the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)?
This council gathers a group of patients and family members to assist Knox Community Hospital (KCH) in providing the best patient-focused care and experience. The voices of patients and families must be heard and included in decision-making processes. Following a model widely used in healthcare settings and supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the Ohio Hospital Association, the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) members will be invited to provide direct input and feedback in specific areas of care and service for KCH to continue to meet best the needs of those who have experienced and continue to experience care at KCH.
What does the PFAC look like?
The PFAC will be a blend of 3 to 11 KCH patients and family members, representing a variety of patient experiences. The KCH Patient Safety Officer, Health Outcomes Coordinator, and Patient Advocate will also serve as members, and the Patient Advocate will be the chair. Depending on the project, other key providers and staff responsible for the patient care experience may serve as ad hoc members. The KCH Quality Department will support the PFAC and report to the KCH Quality Improvement Council (QIC). The PFAC will meet on at least a quarterly basis, and members should be willing to commit to serving for a minimum of 2 years. PFAC membership is voluntary. The PFAC aims to ensure diversity and inclusivity by welcoming members from various backgrounds.
What types of projects will the PFAC work on?
The PFAC will be instrumental in providing input on various patient communication tools, such as patient admission packets and discharge instructions, as well as other systemic issues and concepts. Knox Community Hospital may ask members to assist with projects, including wayfinding and campus directional signage, construction or design projects, policies and processes, and other patient care and service elements. The PFAC may receive project requests from KCH administrators, providers, and staff on an ongoing basis and will work with the Vice President of Quality to establish priorities and timelines. The PFAC itself may also suggest projects for consideration. The QIC and the Vice President of Quality must approve all project requests.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying or want more information, please email the Patient Advocate at patientadvocate@kch.org, or call 740.393.9890, and they will guide you through the process.